Anyone who has watched a lot of baseball in the Bay Area knows the Oakland A’s had two dynastic teams: The ‘Swingin’ A’s’ of the early 1970s, with Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter, and those terrific clubs from 1988-92 which went to the post season four times, including three straight World Series, and featured the likes of Dave Stewart, Dennis Eckersley and Rickey Henderson.

When the Haas family bought the team from cheapskate owner Charlie Finley in 1981, they made a concerted effort to connect with the East Bay community. The current owner of the A’s could learn a few things about running a team from reading about what they did as an organization.

They brought in such people as Roy Eisenhardt, Sandy Alderson, Walt Jocketty and And Dolich; each one of them an All-Star in their respective fields.

But when future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa was hired in mid-season of 1986, things took a dramatic turn. Dave Stewart, who had been rescued from obscurity, made his A’s debut on national TV at Boston against young Roger Clemens, the Red Sox ace. It was also La Russa’s first game at the helm of the green and gold and Oakland won that night at Fenway.

Stewart won 20 games the next season and became one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball over the next five campaigns, compiling 20 wins or more four years in a row. He went 8-3 in post season play, which included two wins and a World Series MVP award in the A’s 1989 sweep of the cross bay San Francisco Giants in the infamous ‘Earthquake Series.’

Dave Stewart was an East Bay product who was also one of the most charismatic and likeable athletes I’ve ever dealt with. I was fortunate enough to cover a majority of the A’s games in those years, plus all of their post season action, so I got to know ‘Stew’ very well.

Honest to a fault, Stewart never shirked dealing with reporters after games, win or lose. He was honest and without any pretension after games and gave you interesting and insightful remarks about the game. He was really the heart and soul of that team.

The two other guys I loved dealing with on those clubs were a couple of other Bay Area products and future Hall of Famers, premier closer Dennis Eckersley and left fielder Rickey Henderson, probably the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball.

'Eck’ as he was known, went through a lot of adversity in his life. His brother spent years in jail, Eckersley battled alcoholism, his best friend ended up with Eckersley’s wife when the right-hander was in Cleveland, and by the time he got to Oakland in 1987, it was really his last chance.

But All-Star closer Jay Howell was hurt early that year so Eckersley was tabbed by La Russa to take over and Eck became one of the best closers in baseball history. It wasn’t easy as Eck had been a starting pitcher in Cleveland, Boston and Chicago.

But Eckersley made the adjustment almost seamlessly. And he liked to work fast. “I didn’t want to give the hitters any chance to get settled in,” he once told me.

Throw strikes and make them hit it, was his philosophy and Eckersley also had a specialty pitch, known as a ‘back door slider’ which he would use to finish off hitters. Kirk Gibson was looking for that pitch and crushed his memorable homer which won game one of the 1988 World Series as the Dodger star set the tone for the huge upset which followed. But I don’t remember any other hitter having that kind of success against that pitch.

I remember Eckersley after that stunning loss against Los Angeles, standing around near his locker for over 45 minutes, answering the same questions over and over from waves of reporters who flocked around him. He didn’t make any excuses and even flashed his trademark sense of humor.

'Eck’ also coined the term ‘walk off piece,’ which was later shortened to ‘walk off.’ It meant a game winning hit but Eckersely was kind of miffed at how it was interpreted.

“The reason I called it a ‘walk off piece’ was because if you were the pitcher that gave up the game-winning hit, you’d walk off the mound. It had nothing to do with the hitter getting some glory. It was the pitcher having to endure that uncomfortable walk back to the dugout and the clubhouse afterwards,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Rickey Henderson was one of the most unusual athletes I’ve ever met. Not only could Rickey do virtually anything on the diamond, but he had an unusual way of looking at things. I once asked him to explain what a ‘Rickey-rally’ was, as he had used the term several times.

Rickey laughed and said: “A Rickey-Rally? That’s when I walk, steal second, take third on a ground out and score on a sacrifice fly. Heh, heh, heh! That’s a Rickey Rally!” he’d explain.

Those A’s teams also had a lot of other characters from Jose Canseco to Dave Parker and Bob Welch. There never was a shortage of interesting postgame comments and there certainly wasn’t a shortage of confidence or wins for those A’s. They were, without question, the best team I ever covered in over 40 years of watching Bay Area baseball.

Approximately 4,800 fan cutouts were on display at the San Francisco Giants' opening series against the San Diego Padres and fans have continued to submit photos. Giants executive vice president of business operations, Mario Alioto, estimated there were 11,000 cutouts on display for the team's recent home stand against the Texas Rangers, with more on the way. "Over the last week, sales have been off the charts. It’s wild," Alioto said.

San Francisco Giants cutouts are quickly filling up Oracle Park, a reminder that baseball has indeed returned and captured the hearts and interest of fans.

 Photo by Rich Yee.

Willie Mays, pictured in his Giants uniform, and Katy Taylor are among the thousands of cutouts populating Oracle Park. Photo by Rich Yee.

The stands are already packed with fans eager to enjoy baseball's appeal. Photo by Rich Yee.

Between innings, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Rich Yee chatted up avid San Francisco Giants fan Joe Montana! Photo by Rich Yee.

Not one to pass up a perfect opportunity, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Rich Yee scored a foul ball! Photo by Rich Yee.

Giants celebrity fans and Forever Giants will be seated throughout the ballpark and fans will have a choice, when purchasing their cutout, to select a seat in the same section or as close as possible to their favorite celebrity or Giants alumni. Click here to see celebrities with seating sections.

Use our helpful Photo Submission Guide to take and upload the best photo. There are many ways to take a great cutout photo… and a few ways to not!

Cutouts will be installed in waves, depending on when your photo is uploaded. Refer to the FAQ for questions and specific dates.

RingCentral Coliseum has its own denizens eager to enjoy the National Pastime. Photo by Rich Yee.

Large teddy bears occupy seats along the left field line as seen during the third inning of the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Colorado Rockies at RingCentral Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Fan cutouts are placed in seats during the Oakland Athletics Summer Camp workout at RingCentral Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

Of course Eck would be in The House! Photo by Rich Yee.

Photo by Rich Yee.

A teddy bear family stopped by RingCentral Coliseum on Saturday to bask in the sun and enjoy another A's win. (Could that be Coco Crisp in the background, doing the Bernie Lean?) Photo by Rich Yee.

Cutouts of fans are situated behind fan signs in the left field bleachers as seen during the Oakland Athletics Summer Camp workout at RingCentral Coliseum. Caption and photo by Darren Yamashita.

The field of play had the rapt attention of every fan.

For best practices on submitting your photo, please reference our

After a memorable, nine-year career with the San Francisco Giants (2008-2016), relief pitcher and closer Sergio Romo was traded in 2017 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who then traded Romo to the Tampa Bay Rays in midseason. Romo spent the remainder of 2017 and 2018 in the Rays’ bullpen, was traded prior to the start of the 2019 season to the Miami Marlins, who then traded him to the Minnesota Twins midseason in a multi-player deal. His current, one-year $5M Twins contract for the 2020 season contains a club option for 2021. Romo was initially chosen by the Giants in the 28th round of the 2005 draft and then pitched in their minor league system before coming up to the majors in 2008. While in San Francisco, Romo was a three-time World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014) and was on the 2013 All-Star team for the National League. Through August 6, 2020, his career win-loss record is 40-32, with a 2.91 ERA, 698 strikeouts and 131 saves. Nicknamed “El Melchón” for the song he warms up to on the mound, Sergio Romo was a storied, Bay Area fan favorite.

Caption and photo by Kenny Karst.

Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa 

Prevention  -- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards

Men's Health -- 125 Best Foods for Men

Prevention -- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods

Every Day with Rachael Ray -- Brand New Buy

Better Homes and Gardens -- Catch of the Day

Clean Eating -- Clean Choice Awards

Natural Health -- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards

Runner's World -- Good Catch

For more information, visit www.wildplanetfoods.com

Golden Gate Fields, Serean Kimmel, Re/Max Accord; 

Bemer/Ann Cooke; Informational: 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro;  100 Things Sharks Fans Should Know Before They Die; Disqualified: The Incredible Slip Madigan, The Flamboyant Coach Who Modernized Football; Michael Zagaris

I led the Golden State Warriors in games played this season, with 60, scoring 14 points per game and shooting just under 50% from the floor.

Concept and photo by Darren Yamashita.

The game was special for A's shortstop Marcus Semien (10), on a day in which he tied an Oakland record belonging to Rickey Henderson by starting his 148th consecutive game in the leadoff spot. Doing his best impression of the Hall of Famer, Semien blasted a leadoff homer in the first inning. Photo by Rich Yee.

Matt Chapman, the A's All-Star third baseman, added his own thunder in the 8th inning with a line drive home run (3) to right center field. In both 2018 and 2019 Chapman won the Platinum Glove Award, the Fielding Bible Award and Gold Glove Award, while also winning the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2018. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2019.

Photo by Rich Yee.

The Astros' Dustin Garneau (13) grounded to shortstop Marcus Semien and was thrown out on a close play to Matt Olson (26) at first base.

With their 3-1 victory over an arch rival, the A's extended their win streak to eight straight. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.com. Photo by Rich Yee.

https://www.ultimatesportsguide.net/2020-san-francisco-giants-schedule

https://www.ultimatesportsguide.net/2020-oakland-as-schedule

Wine Country Racing at Golden Gate Fields -- American Farmer wins the $65,000 added Robert Dupret Derby, ridden by Kyle Frey, trained by Steve Sherman and owned by BKB Stables LLC or Sherman. The 1 1/16 mile turf race went in 1:44.38. Photo credit: William Vassar / Vassar Photography.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Major League Soccer today announced that following the conclusion of the MLS is Back Tournament, the league's 25th season will continue in the home markets of the 26 clubs with the first game on August 12. The return to play in home markets will feature comprehensive health and safety protocols, including regular testing of players, coaches and essential staff for COVID-19.

The Earthquakes will play six matches between late August and mid-September, beginning with a clash against the Portland Timbers at Earthquakes Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 26. San Jose will then travel to back-to-back road matches against the LA Galaxy (8/29) and LAFC (9/2).The Quakes then host the Colorado Rapids (9/5), travel to Seattle to take on Sounders FC (9/10) and finish the slate of games at home against the LA Galaxy (9/13). The full schedule with kickoff times can be found at www.sjearthquakes.com.

In the last seasons of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Ed Jay collected images and stories of some of the Raiders most passionate and beloved fans. To view and read their stories, click on this link and revisit your all-time favorites. Above, Thomas Brannon aka Thomas GrimRaider Brannon. Photo by Ed Jay.

Eric Paschall!

Eric Paschall is a forward on the Golden State Warriors and played college basketball for the Fordham Rams and the Villanova Wildcats. On June 20, 2019, Paschall was selected 41st overall in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft. On October 24, Paschall made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 141–122 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, scoring 14 points, picking up four rebounds, three assists and two steals. On October 30, he scored 20 points in a 121–110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, along with three rebounds, two blocks and a steal. On November 2, Paschall scored 25 points in a 93–87 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On his birthday on November 4, he scored a career-high 34 points with 13 rebounds in a 127–118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. To view a game photo album, visit our Facebook Page and be sure to LIKE us or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net. Concept and photo by Darren Yamashita.

You gotta love Dallas Braden. For every A’s home game he prepares like a professor for his broadcast and dutifully dons his signature cap, green shades (for day games) and his mask. He sits by himself in the stands, a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone, with a positive attitude, graciously bringing us into his world of childlike enthusiasm for the game that has given him so much.

The effervescent and slightly eccentric lefty from Stockton will forever have the hearts of A’s fans, for ten years ago he showed the baseball world the inside of his own heart on the diamond of the Coliseum—while pitching the game of his life.

The four years running up to this day were tough on Braden. He had surgery to correct a defect in his pitching arm; a nasal defect that made breathing difficult; and foot surgery for a cyst that took a bad turn when doctors mistakenly severed a nerve, leaving him with tingling and numbness in his foot.

But 2010 would be his best year; he won 11 games, with five complete games, two shutouts and a 3.50 ERA for an 81-81 team. And he was tough, too. To the delight of A’s fans, on April 22, Braden famously told Alex Rodriguez to “get off my mound!”

Three weeks later, on Mother’s Day, May 9, 2010, Braden, then 26, hung over from a Saturday night out, pitched a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays; two hours and seven minutes (!), 109 pitches, 77 strikes and nobody reached base. Only 12,228 fans showed up at the Oakland Coliseum to witness history, the first perfecto for the Athletics since Catfish Hunter’s gem in 1968.

But what made it so special is Braden’s backstory. A kid from Stockton, his single mother Jodie Atwood passed away at 39 from skin cancer when Dallas was a high school senior, and he went to live with his maternal grandmother, Peggy Lindsay, in a motel she was running.

The morning of the perfect game his childhood friend, Jimboy Rabanal, had placed flowers at Atwood’s grave. “Jodie wanted nothing more in the world than for Dallas to play baseball,” Rabanal said. “He slept in his car a few times in the parking lot at the ballpark. His mom wanted it so much for him, he felt obligated to make it happen.”

Dallas worked his tail off to make it, not with a blistering heater—he never topped 88 mph-- but with grit, determination and a change-up he was taken in the 24^th round out of Texas Tech. "He's not afraid—never has been," said Athletics general manager Billy Beane. "You need a shopping cart to take his cojones out to the mound. He's absolutely fearless. He's been like that since the day we drafted him."

His grandma Peggy was there every step of the way, with undying love and support. And she was in attendance that Mother’s Day.

When the A's Cliff Pennington threw out Gabe Kapler--now the Giants’ manager--on a routine grounder to short, it was all over. And when the screaming and hugging subsided, Peggy Lindsay was brought onto the field to celebrate with her grandson. It was a bittersweet and profoundly human scene; the pain of losing a mother, the pain of losing a daughter, the triumph over adversity and the miracle of baseball. The tears flowed and the embrace lasted forever, it seemed. The emotion came through the television. It was a baseball moment, frozen in time, for the ages.

Fast forward a decade to Friday. The Astros were in town, an event which had been hyped for months. Now it was just another game in this, the weirdest of seasons. As the game started, Dallas brought up a fellow Delta guy, somebody a bit more famous than Braden, future Hall of Famer and Sacramento native Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker, now the manager of the Astros.

Braden put it into context nicely, carefully referencing the Houston Astros and their unique situation, trying to recover from the humiliation of being busted for the biggest cheating scandal in 100 years. Throw in the departure of free agents Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Will Harris and injuries to key players Justin Verlander, Yordan Alvarez , Brad Peacock, Roberto Osuna and George Springer—well, that’s a tall order for any new manager. But Baker has been here before.

“Of all the post-season moves, I think the best one was the Astros signing Dusty,” Braden said with the utmost respect. “He can bring stability to a team that sorely needs it. He has the players’ backs, and they know that.”

Dallas and Dusty—two Delta guys who couldn’t be more different, but they ended up in the same place—baseball.

Pete Elman

Oakland

August 9, 2020 -- The Year of the Pandemic

Postscript: Baker’s Astros came into Oakland on Friday, reeling. The A’s are the hottest—and perhaps best—team in the big leagues; they have now won nine in a row. They might win the World Series this year. I wish it meant something, but if they do win it will just be a giant asterisk. Friday’s victory featured a 13-inning “new rules” marathon, while Saturday’s game demonstrated why the A’s have overtaken the Astros. Sunday was over early after homers by Olson and Chapman. Apparently Dusty was kicked out —the frustration got to him. But later a tidy sweep was interrupted by Ramon Laureano, who, after getting hit a second time, caused a huge bench-clearing scrum when he charged the Astro dugout. There will be a serious suspension, you can bet, and maybe more.

Sports Today - #321 -- March 23 - March 29

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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.

The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.